AS schools prepare to reopen next week, families affected by the devastating gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, are urgently seeking help from authorities to provide transport for their children.
Many victims of the fire, which reached temperatures of 1,000 degrees Celsius, have had their vehicles destroyed, leaving them unable to send their children to school.
Bernama cited one affected parent, 39-year-old Norshahrizan Rosli, who has three children, expressed that school transport assistance would greatly alleviate the pressure on parents already struggling to cope with the aftermath of the disaster, including the emotional toll of living in temporary shelters and dealing with damaged homes.
"Alhamdulillah, yesterday we received two sets of school uniforms and a pair of shoes for each child from Yayasan Islam Darul Ehsan.
“This has been a great help, as we still can't return to our home," Norshahrizan said from the temporary evacuation centre at Putra Heights Mosque.
"If possible, let the children return to school and continue their routine as usual, while parents focus on handling the situation here."
Another victim, 36-year-old Nabila Johar, is also facing difficulties in sending her 10-year-old daughter back to school.
While she initially hesitated, fearing her daughter would be overwhelmed by questions about the incident, Nabila agrees that transportation support is essential.
"My neighbour, who used to take my daughter to school, was injured in the explosion, and their vehicle was severely damaged. It's now impossible for them to help," said Nabila, a marketing officer.
"A dedicated transport service would certainly make it easier for parents like me."
For 40-year-old Noraini Aziz, the delay in investigations into the fire has meant that many families, like hers, are unable to return home to retrieve important belongings.
She is hoping that the government will expedite the process to allow those with less severe property damage to access their homes.
"At the same time, I hope the government won't forget those of us who are staying with relatives. Some assistance has been delayed because of a lack of information," Noraini, who has children in Form Four and Year Five, added.
"This support is vital for us to ensure that our children can return to school without further disruption."
The victims are calling for immediate action to address these needs, as many struggle with the long-term effects of the fire while trying to ensure their children can resume their education without further hardship. – April 5, 2025
